Join the Kite Society of Wisconsin and Illinois
Today! The membership fees are only $10.00 per year! For
more information on the KSW, contact Jeff Kataoka at 414.277.9121!
PS The Kite Society of Wisconsin has a new addition to its
name , The Kite Society of Wisconsin and Illinois. Watch us
grow!

Meet Our Performers
All of the kite flyers taking part in the Tour de Kites kite festivals
are world class. Several have traveled far and wide to fly their
kites, exhibit their kites, demonstrate their kites, and teach
everyone about kite flying. Most have won awards in the kiting flying
world and the Kite Society of Wisconsin and Illinois and Gift of
Wings are honored to have them as friends and perform at our Festivals. Thank You all! Now check out their videos to the right. *Please note: not all of our performers are at all of our events at the same time.

Chicago Fire Kite Team
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Fire Kite Team is celebrating its 24th year. The team has been competing and demonstrating team sport kite ballet and precision since 1986. The Chicago Fire is the
longest-running competitive sport kite team in the United States. Team Members include Eric, Russ, Dan, Kathy, Josh, & Zach! Chicago Fire in their own words

Frank MotsMilwaukee, WI
Frank Mots was Milwaukee's King of kites. During Frank Mots lifetime, he had a tremendous influence on kite flying in the City of Milwaukee.
Many people remember this Kite Man down at the old gun club, who made and flew strange looking kites. Frank is looking down on the Kite Society with
a big smile!
Frank
in his own words

Joshua GordonOak Lawn, IL
Josh has been flying dual line sport kites since he was 7. He has been competing at the local and National level since he was 12.
In 2002, Josh was invited to fly on the Chicago Fire Kite Team. Josh also flies on the pair team, Eos, with his brother Zach. He enjoys kiting greatly,
for the competition and for the sheer pleasure of the sport. Josh
in his own words

Zachary GordonOak Lawn, IL
Zachary flies both dual and quad line kites. He flew his first kite at 6 and began competing when he was 8. Zach competes locally and nationally, as an individual and with his brother Josh
as the pair "Eos", with Eric Wolff as the pair “Something Old, Something New” and as a member of the Chicago Fire Kite Team. Zach is the 2008 National Quad Line Champion.
He really likes the creativity that kiting offers and enjoys being a part of the family of kiting.
Zach
in his own words

Team Pegasus..John & Elaine CosbyPuerto Rico
Pegasus are the 2004 Midwest Conference Masters Pairs Champions and have been featured performers at festivals and competitions throughout the Midwest,
including Kites on Ice, the Milwaukee Family Festival, the Kenosha Outta Sight Flight, Mots Festival. They also started the Michigan Kite Festival.
John Cosby
in his own words

Mike DelfarFranklin, WI
As a lifelong resident of Wisconsin, Mike splits his between kite-skiing on the frozen lake, flying ultra-light kites indoors, or flying with Dan Newman as the pair team O2, 2008 National Champs.
Mike is also the designer of the many colorful Windmills seen displayed on the Tour 'De Kites.
Mike
in his own words

Yves LaForestMontreal, QE Canada
Because of the shapes and the colors in the sky, kites have always attracted people's attention. It's also what attracted me when my father gave me my first kite at the age of 6. In early 80's I met a group of kiteflyers who were playing with stunt kites.
They gave me the opportunity to try one. "My preferences? Big kites! My favorite kite? The Octopus." Yves
in his own words

Jean LemireMontreal, QE Canada
Now this guy knows how to fly!!!Jean has been flying kites at the Family Kite Festival and at the Mots Kite Festival for many years. He is also a frequent guest flyer in France.
His specialty is flying multiple stunt kites at the same time. Let's see, 3 kites, 6 lines, 2 hands, and 1 hot tub!. WOW! Jean
in his own words

Dan NewmanRacine, WI
Dan's specialty is flying his two line sport kites as well as a beautiful rainbow stack of kites. He has flown at local and national competitions and can often be found in Kennedy Park
on Kenosha's lakefront doing some practicing. Dan and Mike Delfar are part of the 2008 National champion pair team O2. Dan
in his own words

Paul KoepkeMilwaukee, WI
Paul has been flying sport kites for nearly 20 years. He has competed nationally and also flys in the pairs team known as Fire & Ice.
We think he is ICE. Paul hails from Minneapolis where he was the President of the Minnesota Kite Society. Paul
in his own words

Ann Vondriska BrinnehlOak Lawn, IL
Ann Vondriska Brinnehl is one of the organizers of the Tour de Kites. Her voice along with Scott Fisher and occasionally John Cosby
is heard throughout the park. A big giant thank you to Ann for her assistance. Ann
in her own words

Scott FisherMilwaukee, WI
Scott Fisher is the producer of the Tour de Kites. Scott owns the Gift of Wings kite store in Veterans Park
and works with all of the performers to make it happen. "I can't believe that I do this for a living. It's so much fun. Thanks to everyone for making it happen. Yeap, this is why I went to college!!"
Scott
in his own words

The WindjammersDetroit, MI
The Windjammers Int'l Kite Team began with the simple love of kite flying in the early 80's. They are one of the longest running kite teams in the world. Welcome Gary, James, George, Mike, Nate, and Jean

Charlie SotichChicago, IL
Charlie Sotich from Chicago is internationally famous for his small kites. Some of Charlies kites measure fractions of an inch. Postage stamps are usually bigger.
His entire kite collection usually fits into a cigar box.
Charlie
in his own words

Donna SchenkMadison, WI
Master Kitemaker! Member and organizer for the Kite Society of WI & IL. Contrasting colors enhance this simple delta derivative with swallow tails. Donna takes you from cutting to completion, showing new tools and techniques for conquering curved seams.
Donna
in her own words

Brett Williams AKA the Kite WhisperererMilwaukee,WI
Need a lesson in a Revolution four line kite, or a two line stunt kite? Brett's your guy. He will take you from
zero to master kite flyer within a few short hours. Brett can be seen at Veterans Park on most weekends flying his
kites, and giving lessons. Oh, and ladies, Brett is looking for a date !! Brett
in his own words

Jim CoscaWashington, DC
"Start Spreading the news...New York..New York.." Jim practically owns SKYDOG kites. His voice can be heard at SKYDOG and he is the number one salesperson
on the SKYDOG team. Jim can most often be seen giving lessons with SKYDOG products all over the country.
He also is an avid Flight Sim pilot, and is not looking for a date. Jim
in his own words

Dan JonesMilwaukee, WI
Dan the Big Kite Guy Jones. Dan Jones is Mr.Big Kite guy at some of the Tour De Kites Festivals. Dan can
most often be found flying the giant kites either solo or with Yves Laforest. In addition, Dan is a master at flying the Revolution 4-8 kite.
Dan
in his own words

Mr Kite..aka Craig ChristensonMinneapolis, MN
Mr. Kite has been fascinated with anything that flies since the day his father took him for his first airplane ride at the ripe ole age of 3 weeks old. He has been a major player on the kite flying scene for over 20 years. He rubbed shoulders with the biggest and best kites and kite flyers.
He now has over 1000 kites from 1 inch to the giant 450 foot "Mr Dragon" kite that he made one foot at a time.

Rhonda BegoMilwaukee, WI
Rhonda Begos keeps a full schedule, typically performing several times a week, but Summerfest is her true busy season.
The singer has secured more and more bookings at Milwaukee's signature music festival, and this year will be her most active yet.
Rhonda has been singing the National Anthem at all of our Kite Festival since 2000. Thanks Rhonda..Isn't she great?

John Barresi and
Team IQUADPortland,OR
Made up of fliers from the United States and Canada, iQuad is primarily composed of regular “core” fliers but also incorporates other able fliers into mega flies any chance they get... For more information about flying with the team or learning with friends, check out the team's web site (www.teamiquad.com).

Fire & Ice Paul Koepke and Kathy BrinnehlMilwaukee & Chicago
Paul Koepke and Kathy Brinnehl are the pair team Fire & Ice. They participate in festivals as well as competitions, locally and nationally, and their dedication to the sport is visible in all they do. We think Kathy is
Fire and Paul is ICE, but no one knows for sure. What we do know is that they are unbelievable kite flyers and great friends! Kathy and Paul
in his their words

Craig WilsonMadison, WI
Craig Wilson is the father of kite aerial photography. He takes some of the finest kite aerial photos in the world.
He is also the founder of the former kite festival called Kites on Ice. Check out his new kite photography book, "Hanging by a Thread".

Jos & Kaatje ValckeBelgium
Jos and Kaatje Valcke from Belgium. Master builders of large custom kites. Jos and Kaatje have been building kites for over 20 years. Different kites and different ideas.
His visits around the world include The UK, South Africa, Canada, Belgium, Japan, Portugal,Spain, France, Switzerland, and now in the United States for the second time and in Milwaukee for the first time...WELCOME.